Estes fire 80% contained | Assembly democrats could choose new leader | Bill aims to prevent pedestrian deaths

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Tuesday, May 31.

Estes fire 80% contained, critical fire weather conditions remain

The Estes fire is 80% contained and around 5 acres as of the latest update yesterday evening from Cal Fire’s Butte County unit. The fire sparked during critical fire weather conditions Monday and threatened homes on Estes Road south of Chico. One motor home has sustained minor fire damamge.

Officials are urging all residents to remain cautious as critical fire weather conditions remain. A red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect for the Sacramento Valley until 8 tonight. North winds are forecast at 15-25 mph with gusts between 30-35 mph.

— Adia White, NSPR

Assembly democrats could vote on new speaker this week

Democrats in the California State Assembly may choose a new leader this week. Assemblymember Robert Rivas announced he has the votes to become the next speaker.

The Hollister Democrat said he met with current speaker Anthony Rendon Friday morning to discuss a transition. Rendon has held the position since 2016 and hits his term limit in 2024. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Rivas is the son of farmworkers and said he would be the first speaker in the modern era from a rural district.

Lawmakers are returning from a long weekend and could take a vote at any time.

— CapRadio Staff

Gun control and abortion access bills move forward in state Legislature

Friday was the deadline for bills to pass their house of origin, meaning those surviving have made it halfway through the legislative session.

The CARE Court bill is one of them. It would allow judges to mandate treatment for severely mentally ill people on and off the streets. However, a coalition of disability rights groups and homeless advocates say it’s coercive and should focus on housing first.

Other measures moving forward include one that would allow nurse practitioners to perform abortions in an effort to increase access to the procedure.

Gun control bills that have moved on include a measure to crack down on ghost guns and bills to allow residents and the state to sue gun makers and sellers for civil damages if the weapons were used illegally.

Lawmakers will debate these and hundreds of other bills over the next three months.

— CapRadio Staff

New bill aims to prevent pedestrian deaths

A bill intended to keep pedestrians safe is advancing in the California state Legislature.

Under Assembly Bill 2264, the state would implement Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) on crosswalks.

Santa Monica Democratic Assemblymember Richard Bloom is the bill's author.

"AB 2264 will require Caltrans to install LPIs at busy intersections such as residential and business districts, safety corridors and areas with high concentrations of cyclists,” Bloom said. “With just a few seconds head start, we can reduce the staggering number of pedestrian casualties."

A Leading Pedestrian Interval gives people the opportunity to enter a crosswalk three to seven seconds before vehicles.

The bill passed the Assembly unanimously this week and now heads to the Senate.

— CapRadio Staff

Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.

In other news

• California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19: “Newsom's office said the governor received the positive test Saturday morning and has mild symptoms and will remain in isolation through at least June 2 and until he tests negative. The governor will continue to work remotely during that time.” — CapRadio 

• Power outage to PG&E customers in south Redding after crash: “A south Redding neighborhood was without power on Monday morning following a vehicle collision on Churn Creek Road, between Rancho Road and Victor Avenue. The crash happened about 4 a.m. and knocked down power lines, Redding Police Department reported.” — Redding Record Searchlight

• Greenville Rotary names Sheriff Todd Johns its Community Member of the Year: “Typically Community Member of the Year is awarded in December of each year. But with the Dixie Fire and the displacement of many community members including both Legion and Rotary Club members, the task had proved impossible to complete in 2021. Banks, who cycles out of the presidency June 30, wanted to get the award given out by Memorial Day.” — Plumas News

• Firefighters hold blaze near Estes Road under 5 acres: “The fire threatened several structures nearby, according to an incident report from Cal Fire-Butte County. Homes off of Estes Road were evacuated and the road was closed to non-emergency vehicles.” — Chico Enterprise-Record

• Military women honored during Red Bluff Memorial Day ceremony: “Hosted by American Legion Post 167, VFW Kennedy Post 1932 and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Air Force veteran Cheryl Scherter was the keynote speaker.” — Red Bluff Daily News

• Stakes high in costly Butte supervisor race: “At a time when Butte County faces pressing problems -– from homelessness to drought -– a record amount of money is pouring into the race for the District 2 seat on the Board of Supervisors.” — ChicoSol

In case you missed it

• Butte County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to remember evacuation zones — NSPR (Headlines, May 27)
• State Senate approves bill to address homelessness — CapRadio (Headlines, May 27)
• Environmental advocates, including local tribe, say protecting Bay-Delta water quality is a matter of justice — Shasta Scout
• UPDATE: Shooting at Redding Grocery Outlet sends 1 to hospital — Redding Record Searchlight
• COVID cases related to community spread — Plumas News
• CHP reminds the public to buckle up this holiday weekend — Lassen County News
• Chico cemeteries to hold Memorial Day events — Chico Enterprise-Record
• Threat at Berrendos Middle School in Red Bluff deemed not credible — Red Bluff Daily News
• California wants to force insurers to reward homeowners for fireproofing homes — CapRadio 

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